The goal is to design a distinctive, energy efficient "green" dwelling on view lot in Alaska.

The building will be located on a 2.25 ac hillside lot that slopes slightly to the west, and more steeply to the south. It features mountain views to the east and ocean views to the west. A fast-flowing stream runs through the mostly forested lot. The stream corridor is heavily used by wildlife, including moose, bears, and lynx. We’d like to retain those wildlife values.
We want a house that captures the sun, the views, the natural sounds, and the solitude. The house should elicit a good feeling as one walks through it, and gains a sense of connection with the outdoors. The house should reflect honest construction, fine craftsmanship, and good design. It need not be big, or conspicuous to achieve that.

Design Considerations

The house will be modest in size (< 2500 square feet), suitable for empty nesters who entertain their grandchildren and other family or friends on overnight visits. It may be any number of levels. It should include 2-3 bedrooms and 2-3 bathrooms. If multi-level, at least one bath and bedroom on the main living level. We’d like a family-style kitchen with conversation possible between cooks and those in the living/family gathering area. We’d like a food pantry. We’d like a quiet room (den for reading, writing, television, music). We'd like an arctic entry. We want a Tulikivi stove in the kitchen and/or main living area. The house should feature appropriate passive solar design. The house should be energy efficient and well insulated, designed to withstand heavy snow and occasional high winds (prevailing from the East). It should shield residents from road noise (to north), while inviting natural sounds (to south). We prefer honest building materials (no imitation wood or faux finishes) with low embodied energy cost. We’d like the house to reflect a timeless sensibility, so it remains appealing 50 years from now.
Things we LIKE:
Earth-sheltered walls. Green (living) roof. Generous decks or patios. Sheltering roof. Cantilevers. Interesting light and patterns. Window seats, peek-a-boo views, dining nook with bench seating, sleeping tower, movable window shutters/panels for insulation and high winds. Multi-purpose rooms. Clever storage. Possible LEED certification. Exposed beams, poles, braces—visible structure. Natural landscaping. Permaculture-- sustainable, ecological, organic, simple.
Things we DON'T Like:
Monolithic concrete or "industrial" designs. Formal dining room. Garages (we'll walk from end of driveway on a boardwalk). Lawns. Bathtubs. Granite counters.
Designs will not be judged on how many of the mentioned elements are incorporated in your design. Some are arguably incompatible, and we don't want a hodgepodge. They are offered for insight into our general esthetic sense. The design you come up with should reflect that, while allowing for expression of your own design ideas and creativity.
If it is helpful, two books that we particularly like are: “Designing Your Natural House” by C. G. Wood and M. Wells. (1992) Wiley and Sons. and “Patterns of Home” by M. Jacobson, M. Silverstein, and B. Winslow (2002) Taunton Press.

Selection Criteria

Design (40%)
Design will be scored on how well it integrates with the building site, incorporates pleasing patterns (see references above), and has an efficient and pleasing the floor plan. We will look for unusual or novel design features that set the house part in terms of functionality, serenity, and comfort.
Presentation (20%)
The design should be clearly presented in both graphical and written form. Graphics should include site plan, general floor plan, and elevations. Interior perspectives/design features are a bonus. We want enough to be able to visualize the house, and be able to work from these to develop future construction plans. When describing your work in words (250-500), think of how you might write for readers of an architectural magazine. What are the thematic and special design elements that make this design work well for us, your prospective clients?
Energy Efficiency (20%)
Homes of the future will be smaller and more energy efficient, and we want this home to reflect that. We prefer low-tech solutions (e.g., insulation, earth sheltering, passive solar) over high tech solutions (heat pumps, solar panels), and materials that have low embodied energy costs and are sustainable (e.g., cellulose, expanded cork over petrochemical products). Design should feature passive solar, keeping in mind we have long days in summer, and long, cold nights in winter.
Construction Cost and Environmental Sensitivity (20%)
Designs that minimize the construction and material costs, without undue sacrifice to design and function, will be favored. Avoid excessive ornamentation and elements that are complex and difficult to build. That said, we are willing to pay a premium for sustainable "green" materials and features.

Arc 751

hi client,
sorry again can you give me your email adress please becouse i have a problem here of reloading the project again.

thanks and best regars

Client

Please contact Ana at Arcbazar (or use Live Chat option at top of page). She can help you resubmit, or even relay a submission directly to my personal email.

Yes, I am interested in a green, sustainable house that will be energy efficient, take advantage of passive solar, and connect with the nature. If something I've posted seems conflicting, please ask and I'll try to clarify.

Client

Designers,
Several plans have been submitted, thank you. I can't offer more detailed feedback given the approaching deadline, but will suggest the following:
1) If you have submitted a preliminary plan, and wish to make revisions, please delete the preliminary when you submit the final to minimize confusion on my end.
2) If possible, tag one of your images as the cover image. This is the image that shows up as a thumbnail on my screen, and helps me sort designs. It will also be used by Arcbazar on award announcement page.
3) Some may choose not to include the requested elevations, floor plans, and site plan, but I want to make sure it's not due to a computer glitch or error on my part. I note those below.

ARC 883 - I received notice of a submission from you, but no files were attached.
ARC 491 - No site plan included (I need assurance it can be built without encroaching on stream setbacks).
ARC 119 - No floor plan included. (Best way for me to visualize efficiency, flow and views)
ARC 610 - No elevations included. (I realize this was a preliminary submission by you..it looks good).

Thank you.

Arc 119

Thanks for the feed back. I am currently finalizing the floor plans and sections, and they will be uploaded prior to the deadline.

Arc 491

Site plan on the way. Be ready soon!

Arc 119

The plans and sections have been uploaded, thank you for posting this competition, I thoroughly enjoyed working on it.

Arc 491

Site plan uploaded! thanks for the feedback

Arc 610

Hi Client!
For the first update! What do you think about options plan layout...!! I will make a complete version after get some feedback from you!
Thank!

Arc 751

Hi
I have upload the project, and i would like to have your idea. what do you think?
thank you and best regard

Client

Thank you for your preliminary submission. I can't provide detailed comment comment, as in earlier posts I set a January 3rd deadline (to prevent a lot of last minute work on my part).

I'd simply say review the project description, and the exchanges we've had on the wall, and you'll have a good idea of the features we like, and the feel we are looking for. The evaluation criteria are worth looking at too, as we'll try to stick to those in scoring submissions.

As we've said before, we hope for a diversity of design solutions, larger to smaller, modern to rustic, traditional to extreme. The only unifying themes we expect in all designs are that they be green, energy efficient, take advantage of passive solar, and foster a connection with nature. Those are things people increasingly want in their homes, everywhere in the world.

Although these designs are customized for our Alaska lot, I hope there are elements that make your effort a valuable addition to your portfolios, and can help motivate other clients towards similar low impact, environmentally sustainable housing.

I'm sure we'll be excited by many of the plans. It will be very hard to rank them, but knowing how much time and work you have invested, we'll do our careful best.

Thank you.

Arc 751

Hi
would you like to have any skylight in the roof?

thank you and best regard

Client

In my experience, skylights are prone to leak, bleed heat, can't be closed off easily, and accumulate dirt and debris. Clerestories are my preference for natural light source near the ceiling.

Arc 537

I have uploaded some preliminary plans and I would appreciate your comments.Thank you in advance

Client

Arc 537,
Thank you. I've reviewed and sent some comments back. The website is a bit confusing. It appears the SAVE button is really a SEND button. Please post back if you have not received and I'll resend.

Arc 537

I have recieved your comments, they are even more detailed than expected. Thank you very much. It's a pleasure working this way. I'll keep your recommendations in mind. I am glad I can present the project in metrical units and I am writing this here, because I suppose it's important info for the architects in Europe.

Arc 8

Dear Client,

I have uploaded some preliminary floor plans and elevations. Please review and comment at your pleasure.

Thanks.

Client

Will do.

I asked Ana about the earlier question regarding submitting more than one version of your design via the submissions tab. She said designers can submit any number of times, and delete any version at any time. But the option to submit new will be locked at the end of the competition, and the last submission will be considered the final.

I'd be happy to offer comment on preliminary floor plans, but please submit on or before January 3rd so I have time to provide thoughtful comment, and you have time to make the modifications you wish.

Thanks.

Client

Arc 8,
I have provided some comments via the feedback tab on the submissions age. It seems tailored for short and sweet, with a few 1-5 scoring buttons, and a small comment window.

I wanted to provide lengthier comment, but discovered it was important to save my work frequently or it was apt to disappear. Unfortunately, I also found it necessary to click the "send feedback to designer" button every time I wanted to reopen the comment window for adding or editing.

I just realized those repeated clicks probably sent you draft (incomplete) comments each time. If so, my apologies for the extreme redundancy. The latest I sent is the complete. Please confirm you received. If you've NOT received comments, I will work with Ana to rectify the web problem.

Still learning the quirks in this system. Thanks for your patience.

Arc 8

Dear Client, I have received your excellent comments and thank you kindly. I plan on making some requested changes, though not all for reasons you mentioned. Thanks again.

Client

During a recent operating system update, notices of wall posts on Arcbazar were automatically diverted from my inbox to a "newsletter" folder. I didn't catch this right away, and so apologize for the delay in responding to recent wall posts. The problem is rectified and the emails now are being delivered.

If you have posted a question and I have NOT responded, please repost and I will answer.

Thanks.

Arc 8

Dear Client, Do you know, roughly, the diameter of the trunk of the "Big Birch?"

Thanks

Client

Sadly, the big birch was toppled in a severe windstorm this fall (max winds of 140 km/h). I had hoped to save this tree, but knew it would cramp many designs so didn't mention in project description. Mother Nature removed the option.

But the storm serves as a reminder of high winds possible here. Butterfly roofs that feature an upward sloping form, facing east (the mountain view) will be exposed to strong lifting forces. They can be designed to resist with anchors to foundation, but that adds complexity and expense that might be avoided with modified design.

Arc 8

Dear Client,
Will uploading the preliminary design pose a problem for uploading the final presentation later on?

Thank you

Client

Good question. I will call Ana at Arcbazar office and find out.

Client

Higher resolution maps.
At request of one of the architects, I have add a PDF that includes 10 higher resolution maps showing topographic lines, solar inputs, slope, trails, and setbacks. Map legends include data on local precipitation, snowfall, day length and plants present.

Arc 489

Thank you very much! Fantastic maps. This is exactly what we need!

Arc 785

Thanks for following up, these are very helpful.

Arc 489

Dear Client,
Which soils in your area? Whether there is permafrost? What seismicity? What foundations are used in your area? Whether landslides in your area? Does your practice area raised above ground level houses on stilts?
All the Best,

Client

Soils are sand-gravel till. Well drained and good load bearing. No permafrost. No landslides. Additional info on soils and foundation types posted previously on the wall.

Arc 752

Hi, Do You Like MOdern Style?

Client

Yes, we like modern styles. Custom home designs that are energy efficient, green, and take advantage of natural solar are arguably modern. Style-wise, we prefer natural look (a la Charles Wood or F.L. Wright) with wood, stone, and visible structure. Some minimalist-modern designs (featuring expansive glass, concrete and steel) can be cold to our eyes, and probably not a good a fit for us.

Arc 785

Hello Client,
Could you repost the color overlays that are included in the
maps and aerial images file? I can not read the small print.

Also,
Can you describe a bit more about the two of you; How do you enjoy
your free time, do you have hobbies or enjoy sports?

Though your project program/description is good, I would like
to have some more background info.

Thank you for your time-

Client

I am travelling now and unable to repost the files in higher resolution format. I will do so next week, adding them as image files rather than imbedded in a word document.

Nothing unusual on the hobby front. We enjoy reading, cooking, having a few friends over for dinner, babysitting grandkids.

We are fit and enjoy the outdoors. We homesteaded and built a log cabin in Alaska 30 years ago, and remain interested in self-sufficiency and low-impact living.

We'd like to show that a house can be built that is both environmentally sensitive and esthetically appealing. I hope that is possible on our budget.

Client

Natural Light versus Warmth

As we approach the winter solstice, the days can be a bit gloomy here in Anchorage. It reminds us we'd like a house that has good natural lighting during the short days.

Triple pane windows (with high solar gain glass on south side) are a given. But where windows are placed, their size and orientation, can vary to different effect (clearstories, skylights, vertical panes). You might also think of ways to utilize reflected light (architectural light shelves inside or outside), or special products (solar tubes, kalwall) that transmit light and are still thermally efficient. Maybe the solution is moveable shutters. We are open to a wide range of solutions.

Oops, I inadvertently deleted a post. Here it is again (below), in response to ARC 316 who requested preliminary feedback on their design.

I am happy to provide preliminary feedback on plans via the submissions tab. Your plans and my feedback are visible to designer and client only. (this is a newer feature on the website)

Because this gives some advantage to those exercising the option, and could mean a lot of extra work for me, let's agree to limit to one such feedback per designer (as long as submitted before January 3).

Please consider seeking feedback from me and other designers on the Exchange which is visible to all. It might seem odd in a design "competition", but I think it's a cool feature of Arcbazar.

Thanks!

Arc 966

Dear client,

What do you mean by sleeping tower?

Thanks

Client

I am thinking of a small room elevated above the roof of the house for 360 degree views.

If you incorporate something like this in your design, call it an observation room or tower, rather than a sleeping tower (given codes). Adults could enjoy a glass of wine or quiet conversation there. If the cushioned benches were big enough, they could serve double duty as a sleeping area (especially for grandkids and their friends).

For ideas on such rooms, go to www.houzz.com and type "tower room" in the search window. Lots of interesting examples there.

Not sure how compatible this is with earth sheltered designs, but thought I'd mention as a possible fun/unique element to consider.

Arc 316

Hello Client!

I submitted a preliminary plan for your review. Would like your feedback on placement and shape and style of design. Anything helps.

Thanks

Arc 491

Dear Client,

What views you would like to priviledge?
I guess that view towards the bay is very attractive. What about the mountains?
Is there any particular connection between specific rooms and views you would prefer?

another question: what is your plan after the competition, in terms of construction and possible involvment of winning designer?

thank you!

Best

Client

More on Views and windows:

We'd like the main orientation to be towards south for optimal sun and passive heating.

We'd like to have the ocean and mountain view be a feature in one or more rooms. Which room(s) depends on your design. Possibly, the view can be glimpsed from multiple places with an open plan

We like the idea of a sunny kitchen or dining nook in the morning.

Their should be a view to the outdoors (even across a living/dining area) for a person standing at the kitchen sink.

A ladder-accessible tower room with bench seating that doubles as sleeping berths might be fun.This is not required, however, as it may not fit well with some designs.

We don't think the ocean view (to the west) warrants a large expanse of glass. That could be too much evening sun (low on horizon and impossible to shade with roof overhangs), and might overheat the house, or create a lot of glare.

We'd like to be able to see both mountain and ocean view from DECK area(s) that are shielded from road noise. We expect to spend time outdoors when it's nice. We'll be indoors, hopefully feeling cozy, when it's below zero and snowing.

Curved house forms can be quite interesting and organic, but more difficult and costly to build. As long as it is within our budget, we welcome unusual or nontraditional designs.

Plans after the competition:
We will show the first-place plan to a local builder to get an estimate of construction costs. If it is within our budget, we'll solicit more detailed construction plans and material lists from the designer. We would pay the going rate for any additional design work, drawings, and consultation we may request. That said, we cannot promise an ongoing business relationship with any designer in the competition.

We are happy to see the sign ups from many places so different from Alaska! Thank you in advance for your interest, and for your creative talent and effort!

Arc 966

Dear Client,

Is there a possibility of getting CAD drawings of the site. Will make it very precise and easy.

Thank You

Client

All I have is the paper plat, and a scanned image of the lot with topographic lines (see attached image files)

There are several programs available online (free trial versions) that can convert jpg files to CAD files if that helps.

Alternatively, perhaps another designer has already gone to the trouble of creating a CAD file of the site, and would be willing to share it with others via the designer exchange tab.

I hope this helps.

Arc 119

I just included the CAD file I am using to the Exchange. It has all the basic elements including the lot lines, setbacks, road and driveway, as well as topo. Hope that helps.

Arc 705

I have a few questions about the site, Is this site thaw stable ? if not has there been a permafrost investigation? has there been a subsurface exploration? what is the depth of the peat on the site and finally what is the frost line 3' 10" ?

Client

I am not sure what you mean by thaw stable. There is freezing soil to some depth, but there is no permafrost at this site.

There has been no subsurface exploration, other than a 4' deep excavation to get soil type profile for septic leach field and conduct percolation tests.

The depth of the organic layer (peat, humus, dark soil) is 8-12 inches.

For foundations, pressure-treated piles (or concrete, or steel) may also be set on steel-reinforced footings with adequate bearing surface. If designing for tall piers or piles, please note X-bracing or otherwise to resist racking.

Although a foundation construction plan isn't requested in the deliverables, it would be good to at least mention type, type of foundation (ICF, Slab, Perimeter wall, Pier), and insulation type-thickness used, if any, so I can judge construction costs and energy efficiency of the designs. I realize the site prep and foundation work may be a large component of the construction budget given the sloping site.

Thanks!

Client

I attach a GoogleEarth image of the lot, with latitude and longitude indicated at bottom of image. You should be able to enter those coordinates into GoogleEarth or other map program and scan the surrounding area. No new houses built yet, but eventually there will be homes a home on the lot below, to the west.

I also attach recent images from this winter showing the west-sloping upper bench and portions of the steeper south-sloping portion have been cleared. To give a better impression of lot size, the second image was taken on the eastern boundary of the lot, looking west. The west boundary lies just beyond the tall, lone conifer. This image may also give a feel for the steeper, south-facing slope on the left.

Hope this provides what you need.

Arc 828

Thank you a lot. I hope that the work fit your needs.

Arc 828

Can you send us the KMZ file or the location on Google Earth to better view the area surroundings.

Thank You,

Client

A comment on the house size:
You'll notice the design criteria call for a house "less than" 2,500 square feet. That is because we hope some will design smaller. There is an inevitable tradeoff between size, design, materials, energy efficiency and cost in any building project. We want you to have sufficient latitude to find the "sweet spot" in your design.

Thanks!

Arc 705

I have a few questions regarding the plat map, the easement that is marked on the map...35' is shown in a darker hash tag as Greenbelt Trail Corridor but to each side is another broken line which is marked as an additional 25' feet to each side, is this easement in fact 85' wide? Is the area in the north east of the property marked with three broken line segments a leach field? and what is the Map number from which this plat was taken? The well that is marked on the plat is it solely yours or do you share and how deep is it? And finally do you have air rights, is there a grid tie,sewer or septic and what is the setback for building from the stream?

Client

Yes, there is an 85' zone adjacent to the stream where no permanent structure may be built. The presence and sound of the stream is very obvious from beyond this 85' zone, especially on east side of lot.

The water well that is mapped on the plat (with W in a circle) is provisional. For ease of access, I am currently planning to put the well at the slope break 30' from the end of the current driveway. The well will be for this house only (not shared). It should be approximately 75 feet deep based on a test well drilled on adjoining property.

The area on the north side of the property marked with 3 dashed lines is an approximate septic reserve. The soil percolation rate allows for up to 4 bedroom house. Minimum drain field size is 150 square feet and can be shifted north and east somewhat. There is a required 100' separation between the leach field and the water well.

I assume I have air rights. There are utilities (electric and natural gas) along Rabbit Creek Road (north boundary), but no sewer (thus the leach field).

Thanks, everyone, for your involvement. We are looking forward to seeing your design solutions on this project.

Client

Bathtubs
As a very tall person, I don't fit in a typical bathtub, and can't remember the last time I used one for a bath. That's why it's identified as a do NOT like in our prospectus.

But if you think a home should have a bathtub, soaking tub, or spa of some sort (for resale of nothing else), feel free to incorporate. We appreciate feedback of something we desire is unclear or unwise in your view.

Arc 908

Hello
I would like to know what’s the height difference between the topography lines..
Thank you in advance

Client

The contour lines indicate 10 foot change in elevation.

I am sorry for the low resolution. If others are having difficulty reading the maps, or the legends (even when enlarged), please chime in and I will post maps in higher resolution format.